Girls soccer earns tie with Rogers

Published October 4, 2012 at 3:39 pm

Tuesday night, the Magic secured their third 0-0 tie of the season. It was the seventh time the Magic have shut out an opponent this year. It was also the seventh time the Magic have failed to score in a game. But, to Coach Brent Woullet and the girls, this tie to Rogers felt a bit different than some of the others.

Lealah Abraham races two Royals’ defenders to the ball Tuesday night. Abraham has been one of the keys for the Magic this year, as her speed can be utilized on both offense and defense.

“We’re pretty upbeat, we’re pretty happy,” said Wuollet. “We said going in if we could get the tie, we’d be happy.”
That’s not a typical mindset for the Magic, who entered the season looking to compete for the conference title, and are still hoping to compete for a section title.
But the Magic have lost to Rogers every time they’ve played over the last five years. Earlier this year Rogers knocked off Monticello 1-0.
“This one is more satisfying [than some other ties],” said Wuollet. “When you’re tying good teams, you can live with that.”
As with a few of their ties, Monticello might not have been close if not for the outstanding goaltending play of Kallie Gau.
“Couldn’t ask for anything better,” said Woullet.
Gau made saves throughout the game, with at least a handful of them being difficult. With just 16 seconds left in the first half, for example, Gau had to elevate to punch a would-be goal up and over the net. Then after a solid second half, Gau faced her toughest test of the night just ten seconds into overtime. Facing a 1-0 breakway, Gau played a great angle and laid out to her right to get in front of what could have been the game winning shot.
While Gau was huge throughout, she did get plenty of help from her teammates, especially during the second half. The offense controlled the ball for much of that half, getting numerous looks on goal, while the defense, lead by Lealah Abraham and Danniele Gau chased down any counter attacks.
“In the second half, defense, midfield and forwards played outstanding,” said Wuollet. “I don’t think they had an answer for what we were doing in the second half. We just couldn’t score.”
The Magic, second in the Mississippi 8, host STMA, the conference leaders, at 5 tonight.